Apparatus for translating yarns in the proper position and orientation for forming a woven join

Abstract

A yarn positioning apparatus for use in an automated seaming machine for forming a woven join between opposite ends of a length of woven fabric, of the type in which an auxiliary strip of threads are supported in parallel relation to the cross machine direction threads in the woven fabric. The opposite ends of the fabric are supported on opposite sides of the auxiliary threads and each end of the woven fabric includes a fringe of machine direction (MD) threads. The MD threads are successively separated from the fringe and interwoven with the auxiliary thread to form the join. The yarn positioning apparatus is comprised of a yarn gripper for gripping a previously woven yarn from a fabric fringe in a first orientation and repositioning it to a second orientation. The yarn is retained in its second orientation as it is translated for further processing.

We claim: 
     
       1. An improved seaming apparatus for forming a woven join between opposite ends of a length of woven fabric, formed from interwoven machine direction (MD) and cross machine direction (CMD) threads, of the type in which an auxiliary strip of threads is supported in parallel relation to the CMD threads in the woven fabric, and opposite ends of the fabric are supported on opposite sides of the auxiliary threads, each end of the woven fabric includes a fringe of (MD) threads which are successively separated from the fringe and interwoven with the auxiliary threads to thereby form the join, wherein the improvement comprises: an apparatus for translating yarns in the proper position and orientation for weaving including   means for gripping a thread from the fringe in a first orientation;   means for repositioning the thread to a second orientation; and   means for retaining the thread in the second orientation as it is translated to the weaving position.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first orientation is the original woven fabric orientation. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the gripping means and retaining means are combined. 
     
     
       4. An improved seaming apparatus for forming a woven join between opposite ends of a length of woven fabric, formed from interwoven machine (MD) and cross machine direction (CMD) threads, of the type in which an auxiliary strip of threads is supported in parallel relation to the CMD threads in the woven fabric, and opposite ends of the fabric are supported on opposite sides of the auxiliary threads, each end of the woven fabric includes a fringe of MD threads which are successively separated from the fringe and interwoven with the auxiliary threads to thereby form the join, wherein the improvement comprises: means for gripping a successive MD thread from the fringe in its woven orientation and twisting it to a second orientation; and,   means for retaining the successive MD thread in its second orientation as it is translated to a position parallel to the auxiliary threads, such that it is interwoven with the auxiliary threads in its original woven orientation.   
     
     
       5. A method for forming a join in a length of woven fabric, formed from interwoven machine direction (MD) and cross machine direction (CMD) threads, having opposite ends to join together to thereby form an endless woven fabric belt, the method comprising the steps of: providing an auxiliary strip of threads and a means for supporting them in parallel relation to the CMD threads in the woven fabric;   providing a means for forming a shed opening in the auxiliary threads;   providing a means for supporting a fringe of MD threads on opposite ends of the fabric on opposite sides of the auxiliary threads;   providing means for gripping successive MD threads, for twisting the gripped MD threads to a second orientation and for translating the MD threads to the shed opening while retaining them in their second orientation;   providing a means for gripping and pulling the successive MD threads through the shed opening to form the seam;   releasing a successive MD thread from the fringe;   gripping the successive MD thread in its woven orientation;   twisting the successive MD thread to a second orientation;   forming a shed opening in the auxiliary strip of CMD threads;   translating the successive MD thread to the shed opening;   gripping the successive MD thread by said means for pulling the successive MD thread through the shed opening;   releasing the MD thread from the gripping, twisting and translating means;   pulling the successive MD thread through the shed opening so that it is interwoven with the auxiliary strip of CMD threads in its original woven fabric orientation.